Media advisory: The Champion’s Lounge at Amsoil Arena has been designated for the media, as it offers the best vantage point for covering the ceremonies.

Duluth, MN – UMD will host two commencement ceremonies this Saturday, May 17 at Amsoil Arena. For the first time in many years, UMD’s bachelor’s degree and graduate programs will be combined. UMD Chancellor Dr. Lendley C. Black will preside over the commencements, which are scheduled as follows.

10 a.m.

College of Education and Human Service Professions

School of Fine Arts

College of Liberal Arts

792 graduates and undergraduates receiving their degree

3 p.m.

Labovitz School of Business and Economics

Swenson College of Science and Engineering

785 graduates and undergraduates receiving their degree

A closer look at the numbers:

2,353 students will graduate from UMD this year

2,043 students will receive bachelor’s degrees

300 students will receive master’s degrees

10 students will receive doctoral degrees

Dr. Timothy Holst, UMD’s associate vice chancellor for graduate education and research, will deliver the commencement address at both ceremonies.

More about Dr. Timothy Holst

Holst earned a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. in geology at the University of Minnesota. He started teaching in UMD’s geology department in 1979 and has served in numerous administrative roles, including associate dean of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering from 1990 to 2009, acting dean in 2007, director of the Center for Freshwater Research and Policy from 1998 to 2007, director of Research Administration in 2008, and as interim and then permanent associate vice chancellor for graduate education and research from 2009 to the present. Holst is retiring this year after 35 years at UMD.

Student Speakers

Graeme Shields, student speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony

Shields is receiving a Bachelor of Arts: Music Theory and Composition, Magna Cum Laude, Departmental Honors, University Honors. He has enjoyed many opportunities provided by UMD and Duluth over the past four years including composing music for UMD theatre productions, establishing the Fourte Saxophone Quartet, and writing and arranging for area concerts. Shields looks forward to pursuing a musical career.

Jordan Maiers, student speaker at the 3 p.m. ceremony

Bachelor of Science: Applied Physics & Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, Departmental Honors. After enjoying four years at UMD, he says he’s, “excited and terrified to leave it behind while taking on science in the real world.”

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